The biennial Gershanov Family Student Arts & Writing Contest offers all Illinois students in grades 7 through 12 the opportunity to respond to a theme that links historical events to current events and their own contemporary experience.

The 2015 contest specially honors the memory of Peter Gershanov, 1932-2014. The Peter Gershanov Memorial Prize will be awarded to the entry that best represents the contest theme and pays tribute to the resilience of Holocaust survivors.

Leo and Antonia Gershanov survived the Holocaust. They settled in Chicago following World War II and devoted time and resources in the fight against discrimination and prejudice. This legacy was passed on to their children and grandchildren, who have graciously sponsored this contest in their memory.